← Back to Institutional Records

Winnipeg Central Mennonite Brethren Church – Winnipeg, MB

Proper Title

Winnipeg Central Mennonite Brethren Church fonds

Dates of Creation

1960–1995

Physical Description

1.6 m of textual records, one microfilm reel, one architectural drawing, one photograph and artifacts

Administrative History

Winnipeg Central Mennonite Brethren Church traces its beginning to 1960 when the congregation known as the South End Mennonite Brethren Church in Winnipeg—which was located at 520 William Avenue since the early 1930s—decided to build a new church on Portage Avenue at Raglan Road. Winnipeg Central was established when 134 members of the South End expressed their desire to stay at the William Avenue Church as an MB congregation. Winnipeg Central MB Church held its first independent worship service on September 25, 1961, after the old South End members moved into their new premises on Portage Avenue.

The pastors were: D.K. Duerksen (1960–1965), C. Wall (1965–1966), J.P. Suderman (1966–1970), G.D. Huebert (1970–1975), G. Friesen (1975–1982), G. Baier (1982–1986), A. Quiring (1987–1992), J. Stolz (1992–1994), and V. Neufeld (1995).

The congregation served the needs of newcomers from continental Europe by conducting services in German and English. At a congregational meeting on March 22, 1995, a vote to either merge with Elmwood MB Church or to relocate was taken. A majority chose to join Elmwood. The final worship service was held on June 25, 1995.

Scope and Content

This fonds consists of the following series: Congregational meeting minutes, church council meeting minutes, membership records, Minister & Deacons records, financial records, weekly bulletins, Women’s Fellowship Group records, and administrative files. Artifacts include a scale model of the church building and two pews.

Custodial History

The earlier records were microfilmed in 1978 through the work of the Historical Commission of the Mennonite Brethren Conference and are contained on Reel no. 82, pp.441–972. (A separate list of these records is available in the “Microfilm Register for Canadian MB Churches” on the reference shelf). These records and the records created from 1979 till 1995 were transferred to the CMBS in August 1995.

Notes

  • Volumes 463–476.
  • Finding aid: Series description and file lists.
  • Formely classified under the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches inventory BC521.
  • No further accruals are expected.
  • Acc. No. 1995–56, 1995–70, 1995–85.
  • Microfilm file list adapted from a previous finding aid by Leslie Wiebe June 2003.

Series Descriptions

I. Winnipeg Central MB Church congregational meeting minutes.
1960–1995.
9 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of one bound minute book (1960–1967) and three file folders which contain the original minutes of all membership meetings.

II. Winnipeg Central MB Church council meeting minutes.
1960–1995.
11 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of 3 bound notebooks with handwritten minutes, 1960–1961, 1961–1965, 1965–1967; and, 4 file folders with typewritten copies of the minutes from 1968–1995.

III. Winnipeg Central MB Church Sunday bulletins.
1960–1995.
48 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of the weekly Sunday morning bulletins. They are contained in 5 Willson binding cases (letter size format with a 2 ringed binding) and 2 separately bound books. The earliest bulletin is from the South End MB Church and dated Sept. 14, 1958.

IV. Ministers and Deacons Committee of the Winnipeg Central MB Church.
1961–1994.
20 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of minutes of meetings (1981–1994), financial records (1961–1995) and one file with Communion statistics (1981–1984). Some records are handwritten and some typewritten.
  • Most of the minutes are in German.
  • The materials were arranged by the archivist into the subseries.
  • Finding aid: a file list is available. The invoices, bills and cancelled cheques are scheduled to be disposed after 7 years.

V. Winnipeg Central MB Church Ladies Group records.
1965–1989.
0.3 m of textual records.

  • This series consists of the following sub-series: North American Baptist Women’s Missionary Fellowship German program packets (1965–1984), program materials and committee records. Included in these subseries are skits, readings, meditations, program bulletins, minutes, reports and correspondence.
  • The materials were arranged by the archivist into the subseries.

VI. Winnipeg Central MB Church financial records.
1969–1994.
0.6 m of textual records.

  • This series consists of synoptic journals, general ledgers, records of income and expense, binders with invoices and bills paid, and cancelled cheques.
  • Finding aid: a file list is available. The invoices, bills and cancelled cheques are scheduled to be disposed after 7 years.

VII .Winnipeg Central MB Church membership and family records.
1960–1995.
15 cm of textual records.

  • This series consists of formal and informal records containing data about the persons associated with the church. There are an official church register (1960–1994), a marriage register (1960–1995), records of baptisms, records of transfers and membership releases, compiled lists of birthdays, files of correspondence related to membership and a photo directory.
  • Finding aid: a file list is available.

VIII. Winnipeg Central MB Church administrative files.
1961–1995.
0.3 m of textual records.

  • This series of contains reports, correspondence, and special event files.
  • Finding aid: a file list is available.

IX. Winnipeg Central Mennonite Brethren Church.
1991.
1 architectural drawing.

  • This item bears a stamp which reads: “APPROVED BY ___ FEB. 25,1991 PROJECT _____ TRI-STAR ELECTRIC,” and shows the basement, main and balcony levels in three separate drawings.
  • Finding Aid: See CMBS Architectural drawings Inventory item # 93.

File List

Volumes 463–476
Membership and family records

1. Certificate of Baptism record books
Book 1: 1969–1992.
Book 2: 1990–1994.
Book 3: 1991–1992.
2. Certificate of Membership record books (transfers out).
Book 1: 1965–1976.
Book 2: 1977–1991.
Book 3: 1993–1995.
Book 4: 1995.
Book 5: 1964–1970 (German) “Gemeindezeugnis.”
Book 6: 1970–1994 (German) “Gemeindezeugnis.”
Book 7: 1991–1994.
3. Certificate of Dismissal record books (persons joining non-MB churches).
Book 1: 1967–1982.
Book 2: 1983–1990.
4. Membership correspondence (transfers in/out, burial permits).
4.1 List of original 114 charter members.
4.2 Transfers in/out, A-L.
4.3 Transfers in/out, M-W.
5. Birthday book compiled by Abe Quiring.
6. Record of persons baptized and received into fellowship, 1977–1983. (duo tang loose-leaf notebook).
7. Membership Lists. 1967 telephone directory, 1971 telephone directory, 1982 membership list with registration number and birth-date.
8. Membership registration cards.
8.1 Individual cards (arranged alphabetically).
8.2 Family cards (arranged alphabetically).
8.3 Deceased individuals (arranged chronologically).
9. Pictorial directories for 1973 and 1982.
10. Marriage Register, 1963–1995.
11. Church Register. 1960–1994.
12. Lists of members and where they joined after closing, 1995.
13. Two copies of the Winnipeg Central MB Church photo directory. -- 1981–1982.

Ministers and Deacons records

1. Minutes, 1981–1994.
1.1 Notebook, 1982–1986.
1.2 Notebook, Oct. 29, 1981-Feb. 20, 1984.
1.3 Protokole der Sitzungen der Diakonen, 1984–1989.
1.4 Prediger und Diakoonen Zusammenkumft, 1989–1993.
1.5 Deacons meetings, 1993–1994.
2. Financial records, 1961–1995.
1.1 Ledger : Diakonenkasse, 1961–1976.
1.2 Ledger : Diakonenkasse, 1974–1995.
1.3 Bank deposit book, 1967–1972.
1.4 Bank deposit book, 1980–1984.
1.5 Bank deposit book, 1986–1992.
1.6 Bank deposit book, 1992–1995.
1.7 Cheque book, 1992–1995.
1.8 Bank statements, 1982–1995.
1.9 T5 statements for Revenue Canada, 1980–1986.
1.10 Bills and invoices, 1981–1984, 1993–1994.
3. Communion Statistics.
3.1 Beteiligung am Abendmahl, 1981–1984. This file consists of 2 cards with statistics showing the dates when communion was served, the number of communion glasses filled and the number of participants at each service.

Ladies Group records

1. North American Baptist Women’s Missionary Fellowship German packets.
1.1 German program packet, 1965.
1.2 German program packet, 1966.
1.3 German program packet, 1967.
1.4 German program packet, 1968.
1.5 German program packet, 1969.
1.6 German program packet, 1972.
1.7 German program packet, 1974.
1.8 German program packet, 1976.
1.9 German program packet, 1977.
1.10 German program packet, 1978.
1.11 German program packet, 1979.
1.12 German program packet, 1980.
1.13 German program packet, 1981.
1.14 German program packet, 1983.
1.15 German program packet, 1984.
2. Other program materials.
2.1 Easter.
2.2 Christmas.
2.3 Poems & readings.
2.4 Skits.
2.5 Materials by Mennonite writers.
3. Committee records.
3.1 Correspondence, 1980–1988.
3.2 Programs, order of services, bulletins, 1970, 1982–1988.
3.3 Provincial MB Women’s Conferences, 1979–1983, 1986.
3.4 Advent programs – bulletins & related material, 1965–1984.
3.5 Missionsabend – bulletins & related material, 1973–1985.
3.6 Donwood – programs, 1979–1983.
3.7 Ladies Fellowship reports, 1979–1988.
3.8 Minutes, reports and correspondence, 1983–1984.
3.9 Notebook (president’s?), 1986–1988.
3.10 Minute books, 1960–1982, 1985–1989.
(Labeled Buch 1, Buch 2, etc.,) (One volume seems to be missing (Buch 6 -1982–1985).

Financial Records

I. Financial Ledger Books.

  1. Synoptic Journal, 1969–1972.
  2. Synoptic Journal, 1972–1975.
  3. Synoptic Journal, 1976–1979.
  4. General Ledger, 1979–1983.
  5. General Ledger, 1983–1984.
  6. General Ledger, 1985–1986.
  7. General Ledger, 1986–1987.
  8. General Ledger, 1988–1989.
  9. General Ledger, 1989–1991.
  10. Sunday School Financial Record book, 1979–1992.

II. Files

  1. Income and Expense Records, 1968–1976.
  2. Income and Expense Records, 1974–1987.
  3. Income and Expense Records, 1975–1989.
  4. Income and Expense Records, 1979–1991.
  5. Record of Bank deposits / donation records, 1989.
  6. Record of Bank deposits / donation records, 1990.
  7. Record of Bank deposits / donation records, 1991.
  8. Record of Bank deposits / donation records, 1992.
  9. Record of Bank deposits / donation records, 1993.
  10. Record of Bank deposits / donation records, 1994.

Administrative Files

  1. Financial reports, 1961–1984.
  2. Membership lists.
  3. Year-end reports, 1980–1989.
  4. Election lists and results.
  5. Offerings.
  6. Parent-child dedication.
  7. Ordination.
  8. Song leaders and accompanists.
  9. Statistics.
  10. Sunday evening programs.
  11. Sunday school.
  12. Task force.
  13. Ministers and deacons.
  14. Deacon services.
  15. DVBS.
  16. Community outreach.
  17. “Printers cut” of the photo of church.
  18. Historical sketches of Winnipeg Central MB Church.
  19. Purchase of church building.
  20. Correspondence between South End and Central MB.
  21. Minutes re: founding of the Winnipeg Central MB Church.
  22. Pulpit committee meetings.
  23. Church guidelines.
  24. Camp Arnes, 1992.
  25. (S.S.) Church picnic.
  26. Baptism and membership.
  27. Central Day Care Centre.
  28. 25th Anniversary Celebration.
  29. Information and guidelines for typing weekly church bulletin.
  30. Questionaire.
  31. Year-end reports, 1961–1969.
  32. Year-end reports, 1970–1979.
  33. Correspondence, 1961–1969.
  34. Correspondence, 1970–1979.
  35. Correspondence, 1980–1985.
  36. Documents re. Estate of Anna Redekopp.
  37. Documents re. Estate of Martha Warkentin.
  38. Church Library reports, 1965–1967.
  39. Constitution.
  40. Church copyright licenses, 1990–1995.
  41. Relocation committee, 1994–1995.

Microfilm file list

Reel 82

  • Church Constitution (Book I). – no date given. – pp. 441–444.
  • Church Membership Register (Book III). – 1960–1979. – pp. 458–470.
  • Marriage Register (Book II). – 1963–1977. – pp. 445–457.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes (Book IV). – Apr.1960–Nov.1967. – pp. 471–541.
  • Congregational Meeting Minutes (Book V). – Jan.1968–May 1978. – pp. 542–671.
  • Church Council Meeting Minutes (Book VI). – Feb.1960–Nov.1967. – pp. 672–822.
  • Church council Meeting Minutes (Book VII). – Jan.1968–May 1978. – pp. 823–972.
← Back to Institutional Records